Flexible pipe joint



Aug. 23, 1932. w, R $M|TTLE 1,873,495

FLEXIBLE PIPE JOINT Filed Jan. 27, 19:52

Inventor WQZ 2162' 570; 2 2 56 A itorney Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITEDLSTATES PATENT FFICE;-

warren nsMrrrLn, on ST. LOUIS, MIssoURr; T

FLEXIBLE :eI rn JoINr A pplic ation filed January 27, 1932. Serial No. 589,246.

My invention relates to an improved flexible pipe joint, involving automatic packing positioning means, together with novelpacking arrangements, and means to lubricate the joint.

It is an important object of my invention to provide .a flexible pipe joint of this type which includes comparatively few parts, andv which are so engaged as to be readily flexed and moved with-respect to each other, while maintaining a fluid-tight relationship, and wherein the packing means has cooperating therewithautomatic means for adj ustingthe wear thereof and positioning the same.

It is also an important object of my invention to provide a joint of-the type de-* scribed wherein the related elements maybe rotated at different speeds, and'with the axes of rotation of the connected elements out of coincidence,- and in which friction is prac- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2'is a longitudinal vertical sectional view therethrough. Figure 3 is an end view of the packing taken from the left as seen 1n Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the tapered packing adjusting sleeve.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals relate to like parts throughout the same, the numeral 5 generally designates he device of my invention which consists of the male element 6 which is in the form of an externally screw-threaded nipple having an enlarged externally spherical portion 7 which I3 has a counterbore 8 larger than the bore 9 of tion 19 as shown in Figure 2.

described in which back pressure and any the nipple portion. The-spherical portion is slightly more than hemi-spherical and provided at the inward end with a fiat right, angular face 10 for engaging the packing generally designated 11 in a manner to be described. i V i V The female member of the device generally designated 12 consists of an enlarged receptor designated 13 internally screw-threaded "as" indicated at 14 and provided at the inward no,

termination of the screw-threaded portion 14' with a portion15 having a reducedvbore. I enlarged shoulderporti'on' 16 of solid c'ong structionis provided with the outstanding flange 17 which has inwardly thereof the externally screw-threaded portion 18 which, is spherically'recessed as at 19'wi th-the same radius as the spherical portion 7 of' themale member. The packing 11 is disposed in direct contact with the spherically recessed por-- 1 Assembling means in the form of a coupling member generally-designated 20 has at one end the internally screw-threaded portion en-' gaged with the external screw-thread 18, and a spherically recessed portion 21 adapted to engage with the spherical portion ,7 of the male member. Proper clearance is provided as at 22 between the member 20 and thenipple portion of the male member as seen in Figure 2. It will be obvious that screwing the assembling means 20 upon the threaded portion.

'18 of the member12 will bring'the spherical portion? into engagement with the packing 11, which, in turn, will be engaged with the spherically recessed portion of the receptor The parts described above are believed to be, in general, found in various typesof ball-joints and flexible couplings. However, I believe that the method of arranging and operating the packing means for such a joint as described below, constitutes the principa part of my invention. i

It will be observedthat the sectional packing 11 has atapered bore 23, the small end of which corresponds substantially with thereduced bore 15 in the female member or receptor 12. 'Within the divergentend of the bore of the packing llis entered a tapering tubular sleeve 2 1, adapted to act as a Wedge, under the influence of a coiled spring engaged with'the divergent end of the sleeve 24; and with the shoulder 26 defined by the nipple portion 6 of the enlarged bore 8. It will be observed that the divergent end of the sleeve 24 is preferably large enough to be closely but movably held in the enlargedbore 8, and the spring 25 is also preferably of a diameter to operate closely and smoothly in the enlarged bore 8. It will be observed that while female member or receptor, which action also.

increases the abutting engagement of the flat face 27 of the packing with the flat faced end of thespherical member 7 of the male menn 'ber, thereby maintaining atall times a fluid- 1 tight and smooth acting joint, in which compensation forwear is'automatic. .It will be observed that the passages through the fe-. male member, the packing, the tubular sleeve.

- 24, the spring 25, and the nipple portion 6 of the male member is practically uniform in diameter, and that there are no obstructions. offered toythe passage therethrough of fluid.

An annular chamber 28 formed by recessing the member 20 and the member 12 at 29,

. provides a container for a. suitable lubricant V What is claimed is 1. A flexible pipe coupling, comprising, a

spherlcal male member, a female member for to be; introduced therein through a "hole closed by the plug 30, whereby to increase the flexibility and serviceability of the joint.

7 While I have shown and described .herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that changes in size, shape and material may be made without departure from the-spirit of theinvention and h the scope ofthe' subjoined claims. V l

receivin'g rotatably the male "member, assembling means for the members, packing means disposed between the male member and the female member, packing expanding means," andsprlngmeans for actuating the packing expanding means, sald packing means being located at the inward end of the male member.

2. A'flexible' pipe'coupling, comprising,

spherical malemember, a female member for. receiving rotatably the male member, assembling means for the members, packing means disposed between the male member and the female member, packing expanding means, and spring means for actuating the packing expanding means, 'said expanding means being arranged within the packing means.

3. flexible pipe coupling,rcomprising, a spherical male member, a female member for receiving rotatably the male member, assem bling means for the members, packing means disposedbetween the male member and the female member, packing expanding means,

and spring means for actuating the packing expanding means, said expanding means being arranged within the packlng means, said nally upon the expanding means.

4. A flexible pipe coupling, comprising, a

spherical male member, a female member for bling means for the members,packing means disposed between the male member and the female member, packing expanding means, andspring means for actuating the packing spring means being arranged toaet exterreceiving rotatably, the male member, assem expanding means, said packing means being.

located at the inward end of the male mem-'' ber, said packing expanding means comprislng a pair of annular members 1n wedge relation.

receiving rotatably the male member,assembling means for the members, packing means disposed 'betweenthe'male' member and the female member, packing expanding m'eans,

- and spring means for actuating the packing expanding means, said; packing meansbeing located at the inwardend of the male-meme her, said packing means being disposed in g'agedby the male member. 7

6: A flexible pipe coupling, comprising, a spherical male member, a female member 5. A flexible pipe coupling, comprising, spherical male member, a female member for said female membercfree of, .but to be enfor receivingrotatably the male members, as- I sembling means for the members, packing means dlsposedbetween the male-member and the female member, packing expandmg means, and spring means for actuating the packing expanding means, said packing means bemg located at the inward end of the male member, said packing being disposed 1nsaid female member free of, but to be engaged by the male member, said packing means'being located in an the female member.

annular groove in In testimony whereofl aflix my signature.

WALTER B. SMITTLE; 

